ACR Electronics AISLink CB2 User manual

User Manual
www.acrartex.com
AISLink CB2
AIS Class B Transceiver
SOTDMA

CB2 Manual
912S-02858-01.122
© 2022 ACR Electronics
The technical data, information and illustrations contained in this manual were believed
to be correct at the time of print. ACR Electronics reserve the right to change specica-
tions and other information contained in this manual as part of our continual improvement
process.
No part of this manual may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in
any form, electronic or otherwise, without the prior permission of ACR Electronics
No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions in this manual.
RECORD YOUR INFORMATION HERE
To ensure easy access to your AIS unit in the future it is recommended that you note the
login information.
Boat Name:
Call Sign:
MMSI:
WiFi Network SSID:
WiFi Network Password hint:
Email address:
Password hint:
NOTE: For dealers installing this product on behalf of a customer it is advisable to use the
customer’s details to create the account. This will allow the customer to access the unit
from their own Mobile device later.

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CB2 Manual
1. GENERAL 4
1.1 Exposure to RF Electromagnetic Energy 4
1.2 Warnings 4
1.3 CB2 Overview 5
1.4 CB2 Contents 5
1.5 Example Systems 6
2. INSTALLATION 7
2.1 Mounting 7
2.2 Connections 9
3. CONFIGURATION 12
3.1 IMPORTANT NOTE TO DEALERS 13
3.2 Using WiFi (An Internet connection is required) 14
3.3 Using a USB Device 15
3.4 External Data Multiplexing 16
3.5 Using the Set-up App (Android and iOS) 18
3.6 Using the On-line Web Based Software 18
3.7 Creating an Account 18
4. OPERATION 19
4.1 Operating Modes 19
4.2 LED Indicator Sequences 20
4.3 Connecting with Wi 21
5. Glossary of terms and abbreviations 22
6. Disposal 22
7. Interface Protocols 23
7.1 NMEA0183 Data Sentences Supported 23
7.2 NMEA2000 PGNs Supported 23
7.3 WiFi Output 24
8. Specications 25
9. Spares and Accessories 25
10. Approvals 26
10.1 USA 26
10.2 Canada 26
10.3 European Declaration of Conformity 26
10.4 UK 26
10.5 Australia / New Zealand 26
11. Warranty 27
11.1 Limited Warranty 27
11.2 Extended Warranty 27

CB2 Manual
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1. GENERAL
1.1 Exposure to RF Electromagnetic Energy
This product complies with EN62311:2008 (EU) and RSS-102 (Canada).
This product has been evaluated for compliance with the FCC RF exposure limits given in
CFR 47 part 1.307(b) at a distance greater than 2” (25cm) from the antenna.
1.2 Warnings
This product is designed to assist navigation and should not be used in the place of ap-
propriate navigational judgement. AIS should be used as a complement to navigation and
should not be used to replace installed equipment such as RADAR or ECDIS.
!AIS devices can only monitor other AIS equipped vessels. It is the
responsibility of the vessels crew and skipper to always be aware
ofsurroundingvesselsthatmaynotbettedwithAISequipment.
!The CB2 must always be used in conjunction with the supplied GPS
antenna. Use of an alternative GPS antenna may impair the func-
tionality of the system.
!This product contains no user-serviceable parts. All maintenance
work should be carried out by trained persons authorized by ACR
Electronics.
! Donotinstallinaammableatmosphere(engineroom,nearto
fueltanks)orinalocationsubjecttoexcessivesolarheat(direct
sunlight,beneathawindshield).
!The CB2 is a maritime radio transmitter and is subject to radio
licensing laws. Contact the relevant authority in your country for
local license requirements.
!False information transmitted can result in risk to other vessels as
well as your own. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that ves-
selsensorsareconguredandcalibratedcorrectlyandthatallAIS
information transmitted is accurate and up to date. It is a criminal
oenceinsomecountriestotransmitfalsieddata.
!USA Users only: It is a violation of the rules of the FCC to input
anMMSIthathasnotbeenproperlyassignedtotheenduser,or
to otherwise input any inaccurate data in this device. The entry
of static data into this device shall be performed by the vendor of
thedeviceorbyanappropriatelyqualiedpersoninthebusiness
of installing marine communications equipment on board vessels.
Instructionsonhowtoaccuratelyenterandconrmstaticdatain
the device can be found in Section 3 of this user manual.

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CB2 Manual
1.3 CB2 Overview
The Automatic Identication System (AIS) was designed as an aid to collision-avoidance in
the marine industry and is a signicant development in navigational safety. It is now widely
used at sea to provide vessels with a live accurate picture of marine trac in the surround-
ing area.
The fully compliant CB2 is a Class B type AIS Transponder from ACR Electronics. Your ves-
sel information such as position, speed, and course is ascertained automatically and con-
tinuously using an internal multi-GNSS receiver and transmitted to all other AIS equipped
vessels at a maximum rate of every two seconds.
Other vessel information such as vessel name, call sign, type and dimensions as well as
the MMSI are also transmitted. This information can be uploaded to the CB2 easily by sev-
eral methods described in Section 3 of this guide. Once this information has been upload-
ed, it remains stored in the unit’s non-volatile memory even if powered down.
The CB2 also receives and interprets AIS messages from other AIS equipped vessels within
range, which can then be relayed eortlessly to other navigation devices such as chart
plotters, laptops or mobiles using the CB2’s NMEA0183, NMEA2000, USB or Wi-Fi outputs.
A multi-colour LED indicator light on the CB2 signals the on-going operational status of the
unit. This additional safety feature provides you the condence of knowing that the CB2
has continuous AIS transmission and optimal performance.
1.4 CB2 Contents
1 CB2
2 Screw Kit
3 Power/Data cable
4 USB to Micro USB Cable
5 USB On-The-Go cable
6GPS Antenna (Inc. xing
kit)
7 User Manual

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1.5 Example Systems
1.5.1 Example System Using NMEA0183
1.5.2 Example System Using NMEA2000
The CB2 NMEA2000 LEN = 1
AISLink CB2
AISLink CB2

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CB2 Manual
2. INSTALLATION
2.1 Mounting
2.1.1 Transceiver mounting
Determine the mounting location for the CB2 ensuring that there are suitable access routes
for all the required cables and attach securely to a at surface using the four xing screws
provided. The unit should be easily accessible to allow for disconnection from the power
source. The power/data cable plug is the disconnect device, unplugging this will isolate
the CB2 from both poles of the power source. It is also recommended that the unit can be
accessed later to view the indicator LED and operate the Mode button.

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2.1.2 GPS(GNNS)AntennaMounting
The GPS Antenna should be installed with a clear and unobstructed view of the sky, it
should NOT be positioned or mounted on a mast that can cause the antenna to swing and
potentially reduce the accuracy of the GPS position and it should NOT be positioned in the
direct path of a radar transmitter.
The GPS antenna can be mounted either on a at horizontal surface or on a suitable pole
mount (not supplied).
• If you intend to surface mount the antenna, ensure you have access to the
underside of the mounting surface.
• If you intend to pole-mount the antenna, the mount requires a 1 inch 14 TPI
thread.
!If the cable is passed through the center of a third party mount
ensurethethreadlengthdoesnotexceed2cm(0.78”)toprevent
damage to the cable
!DO NOT cut the GPS Antenna cable. Neatly coil and tie any excess cable
After xing the GPS antenna to an appropriate location, route the 10m cable to your AIS
transceiver unit, adding extension cable as necessary. Connect the cable to the GPS con-
nector on the CB2.

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CB2 Manual
2.2 Connections
! Toavoiddamagetothecables,ensureatleast50mm(2.0inches)
is available below the Transceiver to allow the cables to turn.
Item Connector
1 VHF (SO239)
2 Power/Data
3 GPS Antenna (TNC)
4 NMEA2000
5 LED Indicator Button
6 USB (Micro-B)

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2.2.1 RF Connectors
The VHF antenna should be connected to the SO239 socket.
If the vessel is equipped with a single VHF antenna that is required to be shared between
the CB2 and a VHF Radio Transceiver it is necessary to use an active antenna splitter.
Attempting to connect two transmitting devies to a single antenna without a splitter will
cause severe damage to either or both devices. Install a third party splitter in accordance
with the instructions provided with that unit connecting the CB2 “ANT” connector to the
AIS Input connector on the splitter.
A typical active splitter installation connection is shown in the NMEA2000 example on page
6 of this manual.
! WhenasplitterisinstalledandtheVHFRadioistransmitting,the
CB2 is unable to make use of the SOTDMA system and reporting
ratesmaybelongerthanthosespeciedfornormaloperation.For
optimum operation a dedicated VHF antenna is recommended.
The GPS antenna should be connected to the TNC connector.
2.2.2 Power and data connectors
The power and data connections are on the 10-core ying lead supplied.
Connect the power cables to the vessels supply via a suitable fast acting fuse.
If you need to extend the length of the power cable, ensure you observe the following:
• The power cable for each unit in your system should be run as a separate,
single length of 2-wire cable from the unit to the vessel’s battery or distribu-
tion panel.
• For power cable extensions, it is recommended that a minimum wire gauge
of 16 AWG (1.31 mm2). For cable runs longer than 15 meters, you may need
to consider a thicker wire gauge (e.g. 14 AWG (2.08 mm2),
or 12 AWG (3.31 mm2)).
3 Amp Fast
Acting Fuse